German manufacturer BMW is preparing to update its entire X portfolio over the new few years. Here's the 2022 BMW X3.

Picture credit:S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.?

According to our spy photographers, the BMW X3 mule you see here was spotted cruising around the streets of Munich. Given the fact there's a BMW plant in SA which churns out the X3 for both local and international market, we're surprised these photos weren't taken in Pretoria.

From what we can see, the front end is going to receive a big update, with the bumper getting an all-new design. It remains to be seen whether the trademark kidney grilles will grow in size like the X5 and X7, or adopt something radical like the 4-Series setup. Expect more modern daytime-running lights too. At the back, there are some changes and we're expecting some subtle updates.

Our photographer source says the cabin is getting a big update too, as the infotainment screen and dashboard were camouflaged. This is understandable as the BMW X3 is one of the few models in the Munich-based brand's portfolio that has yet to adopt the all-new BMWiDriveOS 7.0 with its digital dashboard, new-look graphics, and generally all-round slicker user experience.

In terms of engines, BMW is likely to roll out its entire powertrain arsenal for the X3 in an effort to broaden its appeal. For the SA market, we can expect petrol and diesel offerings, with engine sizes ranging from 4- to 6-cylinder, while the overseas markets are likely to get plug-in hybrid tech as well as an inevitable pure electric model. Let's not forget about the high-performance offerings either, with an X3 M and X3 M Competition eventually making an appearance sometime after the mainstream offerings.

This segment of the market is moving at a solid pace. Locally the Mercedes-Benz GLC range was updated towards the end of 2019, but an all-new model has been spotted testing. There's a new Audi Q5 set to land in early 2021, so BMW's timing with the updated X3 and badging it as a 2022 model is about right. Let's not forget about the Swedes either as the Volvo XC60 still commands a few sales.

We'll update this article as soon as more information and more photos come to light.

Further Reading

All-Electric BMW iX3 Revealed, Coming to SA

BMW X3 (2011-2017) Buyer's Guide

BMW X3/X4 M Competition (2019) Specs & Price

BMW X3 Production starts in SA

BMW X3 xDrive30d (2018) Video Review